Cottagers chief issues health message

Roy Hodgson says fellow managers need to follow Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce's example and be vigilant when it comes to their health.

The Fulham boss is preparing his squad to face Rovers at Craven Cottage on Wednesday, but Allardyce will not be in the opposition dug-out as he prepares to undergo surgery on a coronary artery on Friday.

Allardyce is not the first manager to have heart problems in the high pressure world of football as Graeme Souness, Gerard Houllier and Joe Kinnear have required surgery over the years. And Hodgson feels other managers need to get checked out regularly like Allardyce has done to ensure problems do not sneak up on them.

"What 'Big Sam' has done is a lesson to us all - he has had regular check-ups," Hodgson said. "This check-up has shown an abnormality or slight problem, which can easily be corrected. But if you don't have the check-up, you don't always get the warning signs.

"Quite a few people I know who have had very serious heart operations, they've had no warning signs. What this little episode has proven to us all is that it's Sam this week, it could be you next week.

"I know Sam is someone who looks after his fitness. But when you get up to our age, past 50, you have to be aware that changes are going to occur in your body."